Lions’ Dan Campbell Favored to Win 2023 NFL Coach of the Year Award
- Lions head coach Dan Campbell has +850 odds to win NFL Coach of the Year
- Denver head coach Sean Payton is trailing Campbell at +900
- See the latest 2023 NFL COY odds and our predictions below
It’s still months away from the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game that kicks off the league’s preseason schedule on Aug . 4.
Yet there’s already been some movement in the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year odds — and it’s happening at the front of the pack.
The top betting odds are currently held by Detroit Lions’ third-year man Dan Campbell, followed closely by Denver’s first-year head coach Sean Payton, his first gig since stepping down from the Saints a few years back.
NFL Coach of the Year Odds
| Coach (Team) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dan Campbell (Lions) | +850 |
| Sean Payton (Broncos) | +900 |
| Robert Saleh (Jets) | +1200 |
| Matt Eberflus (Bears) | +1200 |
| Frank Reich (Panthers) | +1800 |
| Doug Pederson (Jaguars) | +2200 |
| Dennis Allen (Saints) | +2200 |
| Zac Taylor (Bengals) | +2200 |
| Shane Steichen (Colts) | +2200 |
| Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) | +2200 |
| Mike Tomlin (Steelers) | +2200 |
| Kevin Stefanski (Browns) | +2200 |
| Demeco Ryans (Texans) | +2500 |
| Brandon Staley (Chargers) | +2500 |
| Bill Belichick (Patriots) | +2500 |
| Arthur Smith (Falcons) | +2500 |
| Pete Carroll (Seahawks) | +2500 |
| John Harbaugh (Ravens) | +3000 |
| Brian Daboll (Giants) | +3000 |
| Matt Lafleur (Packers) | +3000 |
| Sean McVay (Rams) | +3000 |
| Ron Rivera (Commanders) | +3000 |
| Kyle Shanahan (49ers) | +3000 |
| Josh McDaniels (Raiders) | +3500 |
| Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals) | +3500 |
| Sean McDermott (Bills) | +3500 |
| Nick Sirianni (Eagles) | +3500 |
| Mike Vrabel (Titans) | +3500 |
| Kevin O’Connell (Vikings) | +3500 |
| Todd Bowles (Buccaneers) | +4000 |
| Mike McCarthy (Cowboys) | +4000 |
| Andy Reid (Chiefs) | +5000 |
Campbell’s odds have shortened to +850, from +1100 just a few weeks ago, while Payton sits at +900, a climb from his +1200 odds.
Robert Saleh of the Jets and Matt Eberflus of the Bears are next at +1200, while newly minted Panthers’ bench boss Frank Reich checks in at +1800, before a crush of candidates from +2200 to +3500.
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Odds as of April 2 at DraftKings.
Lions Primed For Breakout Season
Perhaps the biggest reason for Campbell being the favorite is his franchise-altering takeover that’s moved positively the past two years, and is ready for the next step — a playoff berth.
His first season was a 3-13-1 campaign, but Detroit improved rapidly, finishing 9-8 a year ago, the first season over .500 for the Lions since 2017.
"Dan Campbell gonna get us turnt."@JKERB25 pic.twitter.com/wru93WwGM2
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 30, 2023
This offseason, they went hard on their weaknesses, including a secondary that allowed 245.8 pass yards per game, the third worst mark in the NFL. That includes the additions of corners Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, and safety/corner CJ Gardner-Johnson.
While schedules haven’t been finalized, Detroit will be plying the NFC South and AFC West. The Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos will be tough, and they’ve also got the Cowboys and Ravens, but it’s pretty favorable.
No Aaron Rodgers (likely) also helps.
Payton Brings Hefty Resume
It’s been a long time since Payton authored the Saints’ turnaround in New Orleans, but that landed him a COY award in 2006. Different times, and different uncertainties in the Rockies than NOLA, but Payton is expected to turn things around quickly.
There’s a ton of draft capital that’s been sent to both Seattle and New Orleans for the right to have Payton coaching Russell Wilson, but it offers tantalizing potential.
I asked #Lions coach Dan Campbell what #Broncos are getting in coach Sean Payton. His answer was telling, and encouraging for #BroncosCountry #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/bInzGcok6f
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 28, 2023
Wilson’s maiden voyage in Denver was a disaster that got first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett canned mid-season. Denver was the league’s lowest-scoring team in 2022, putting up just 16.9 points per game, despite ranking middle of the pack in both rushing and passing offense.
If he can get that bottom-dwelling 29.1% 3rd-down efficiency up, the points should come, and help a good defense once in a while. Games against the NFC North and AFC South won’t hurt, either.
Others COY Candidates to Consider
Assuming the Jets land Rodgers, the New York should be considered playoff-bound, and enough to consider Saleh.
Inside that +2200 group, I’d be willing to wager on Zac Taylor of the Bengals, as he’s got a stud in quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s only entering the hallway of his career apex, and already dominating.
Another coach who might be worth sprinkling on is Buffalo’s Sean McDermott (+3500). The Bills have looked dominant at times under his reign, but hit rough patches that have curbed his chances at a COY. If Josh Allen and company can run consistent through a full campaign, +3500 is huge value.
Can Brandon Staley unleash Justin Herbert? There’s probably no other coach that could either be fired or win COY this season than him. He’s up for consideration at +2500.
Pick:
- Payton (+900)
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Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
